Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2012 12:37:53 -0600
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden's Saga 16
Arden's Saga
by: dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)
A quick reminder Nifty needs help in the form of financial support. It is
easy to do just click the link on nifty landing page. That help keeps the
stories coming. Also just a reminder this story is sexually explicit and
involves youths and adults. If that offends or is illegal that you know
what to do.
16: Learning the Art of the Job:
1312, the 12th month, 27th day, continued:
I spoke to Abrith about Perum and Flavia. He told me Perum's father would
not talk, claiming Perum does not have the means to support a wife. Perum
had come to him privately claiming to have more than enough money saved,
which has been kept a secret from his family. Perum claimed his older
brother and his wife were trying to force his father to take what ever
money he had away from him and give it to them, claiming it was not his but
belonged to the family. Abrith did not quite know what to do. I asked if
this was need or desire. He did not know of any need and in a small
community like Koalhurst any real need would be known.
He liked the boy and had faith in him and desperately wanted to honour
Flavia's wishes as well. He told me Perum would not say how much money he
had, except for the gold pieces given to him by Karyakos. Even that was
being requested by his sister in law. Abrith ruled that it was Perum's,
having been given to him and him alone.
The sister in law was taking the matter to her family council. "Our
traditions are clear, a man may give a boy a gift and that gift is his and
can not be claimed by his family. She will not win, it is what we call
common law," he told me.
I asked him, in his capacity as the king's representative, to accept what
ever coin Perum presented to him, as a gift to the Crown Prince's Consort.
Since the Crown Prince's Consort can not accept gifts of this sort, the
money would need be returned to him; pending the Crown Prince's Consort's
refusal, the money must be kept in trust. Once he makes that gift, he can
in all honesty say he has none, his family can not cease what he does not
have. When he is 18 he will be free to ask for Flavia's hand directly.
You will know how much he has and can make a fair judgment. For my part I
will not make that refusal until the time is right.
I wrote Perum a letter, asking him to do what I suggested to Abrith and
that I still believed in the opportunities at Apollo's Temple and would try
and figure out how he might take advantage of them. I told him I was
unable to use my personal purse directly but perhaps a partner or investor
could be found. I would ask one of my trusted friends, who is studying the
accounting arts, to evaluate the idea. If he gains any additional personal
wealth that too should be given over to Abrith immediately, for safe
keeping.
I went on to say he should remind his father that I was present when my new
Father gifted him of that coin saying, "this is for you and you alone, I
will go and settle up with your father while you and Arden talk." It would
be a very poor business decision to mistreat a gift from one so powerful as
the Kings Consort and an insult to the new Prince who is one of us. He
should tell his daughter in law that, to press this issue would bring great
embarrassment to himself and her husband. He should tell his brother, that
if he made the same kind of extra effort to make customers comfortable as
himself, he too would gain tokens of appreciation.
Abrith read the letter and immediately showed it to King Iason and
Karyakos. I was surprised that he would do that. All three praised my
cleverness and wisdom. Iason could not understand why I could not accept a
gift. Karyakos explained that. "if you or Arden accept a gift, it has the
appearance of someone purchasing favour. Perception is more important than
reality and you would be no better than the corrupt religious and political
leaders of other states. We have different standards here. Remember we
are talking about gifts of goodly monetary value, not small and often
symbolic tokens."
Karyakos quizzed me about my idea for the Temple of Apollo. When I
explained it, Abrith and Karyakos both had that look of pride as if I had
accomplished some great feat. Uncle Iason placed his arm around my
shoulder. "Arden, your fathers and your mentor are very proud of you. Not
because you are quick enough to recognize an opportunity but because you
understand that its realization would be of benefit to your friend and
future brother in law and therefore your sister. Moreover that it would be
a benefit to the people that use the Temple. You have taken your time and
energy to promote the idea with no thought of your own personal gain. We
are proud of you for applying the lessons we are teaching, without any
prompting from us. You show a mastery that none of us could match at 12.
I would guess not until we were 15 or 16 years."
Karyakos asked me who my student friend was. I told him Drakon. He smiled
and nodded in agreement, suggesting that after I get Darkon's agreement, I
should seek Alexandros' permission.
At the council meeting Admiral Pantaleon reported that a larger number of
Venetian ships than usual were expected to be passing in the next few
weeks. (TN: the Venetian merchant fleet at this time would have been
around 3500 ships.) With the Florentines neutralized for the time being,
Venice was attempting to increase its influence with our neighbours.
Several North African pirate ships had been seen in the area having moved
north in recent weeks. These pirates have been growing bolder since Venice
and Parga cleared them from the sea during Iason the 4th time. They are
now very careful and run when ever our navy approaches. News of what
happened to the Florentines has obviously spread.
King Iason told him, "if the pirates come into our historic zone of
protection, capture them if you can, destroy them if you must. We will
send messages to our neighbours telling them that since they are unable to
keep pirates our of the local waters we will. Until they are able to do so
we expect their cooperation and assistance if pursuit becomes necessary.
The Byzantines seem occupied in other places and have very few vessels in
these waters. Our neighbors, vassals of one power or another, seem to weak
to act."
Nothing but nothing is better than sex after a hard day in the castle. I
returned to my bed chamber before the others rose and write by the light of
a small lamp. Sex with your mentor and his new trainee makes it even
better. Now that they knew what to do, how to do it and that it is
pleasurable, our mentors want to install that need in their rectums. They
do this by repeatedly giving them pleasure just like they did us. Uncle
Iason and Father have often told us that sex is a very powerful motivator
of human action but it must be used with great care. When in a position of
power over others, the temptation is great to use sex as a tool of that
power. Try not to do that but use it as a tool for building personal
loyalty.
From the traditions of Dionysus, Apollo and Aphrodite the priests at
Apollo's Temple had concocted for them a mixture of the finest olive oil
and the nectar of certain hemp plant flowers. These plants provide potent
elements. The effect of this combination, when ingested by licking from
their prodigious penises or being placed into the boy's rectums is quite
something to see. After experiencing it, quite something to feel too.
Being small of stature it takes only a little to make them appear drunk as
if having consumed to much wine. When a little more it taken they become
more relaxed and compliant. I noticed that our mentors were both
encouraging of the them and free with suggestions. These suggestions seem
to be taken up completely and repeated as if coming from their own minds.
Thirdly, they soon seemed to desire sex greatly and even began asking for
it. They became highly affectionate to our mentors, each other and
ourselves. These boys were not as advanced us ourselves and could not yet
ejaculate, they could experience orgasm after orgasm. It was our combined
task to provide them with unending pleasure which we all attempted to do.
True success would be measured by how quickly and willingly they reacted to
the signal they were being trained to. The signal is the forward and
backward movement of the middle finger along the area between the anus and
the testicles, combined with a tongue probing kiss on the lips. If this
signal is given by the mentors, ourselves or to each other they would
immediately comply with this unspoken request in the days to come.
In the ancient times and in our culture to some degree, as I have observed,
men who to readily submit to being fucked in public are considered unmanly.
Girl like men and boys such as Dysme, who are not fighters, are not
ridiculed but can be and often are joked about. They are still respected
for their skills and abilities. Male couples are respected as long as they
appear equal in public. Who is dominant in privet is not important. Girl
like boys, such as Ikaros, who show great athletic skills are treated by
the men with much respect, since their skills on the field are assumed to
be mirrored in the bed. In Ikaros' instance a correct assumption.
Alexandros the younger and Odo rose shortly after I lit my lamp, but
neither paid any notice to me. I can not write I paid no notice to them.
It is very hard not to notice when two so handsome and skilled lovers
perform only three feet away. (TN: This would be about 0.9 m in today's
terminology.)
I found their performance to be most exciting, making my crotch and anus
desire Iason all the more. The partial light of pre sunrise, combined with
my small lamp's yellow glow, cast shadows over the vision, making
everything more interesting. Alexandros stood next to the bed and Odo sat
on it. Alex is tall and lean almost skinny with wide shoulder. His penis
protrudes straight outward from his body and his testicles hang large and
low below them. I could see his foreskin was stretched back and he arrow
shaped head stuck out as if notched in a bow. He is very long, much longer
then Iason or myself and longer then even Uncle Iason but not Father. His
shaft is straight and does not bulge in the middle like other men. I
expected to see much pubic hair but it was gone, shaved. He has much hair
on his legs but when he turned and bent over none could be seen in his
cleft. His head has long brown hair and his chest shows a small patch
between his nipples. HIs muscles are well formed and impressive. Odo took
his small hands and guided the arrow into his mouth. I could see his
tongue flicking out like a lizard and then the entire length disappear in
the cavity. Odo has some wonderful skills. I think he should teach them
to all of the Palace Boys.
Alex had his hands gently placed on his buttocks and at Odo's signal slowly
pushed his hips forward and back each time Odo taking the entire length
into his throat. I can do that but it took me weeks to learn and much of
Father's and Uncle Iason patients to teach it. Presently Odo sat more
upright and placed his hands between Alex's legs and on the base of his
buttocks. Odo then pulled and pushed Alex's hips into and out of his mouth
but not the full and prodigious length.
Once Odo understood Alex to be ready, he ever so gently moved making Alex
turn and eased himself back onto the bed. Kleitos and Ikaros were still
sleeping. While Alex and Odo were not attempting to wake them, once Odo
started bouncing up and down on Alex's long pole, they would find little
sleep.
1312, the 12th month, 29th day:
Today the North, East and West houses departed for their estates. I could
see a few sad faces and even a few tears from the 10 and 11 year olds that
were forced to stay in the Castle. Drakon and I will visit Apollo's temple
in a few days. I received a letter from Perum telling me all was well and
he had done as I requested. His sister in law is refusing to speak to him,
apparently the comment about making customers satisfied and comfortable was
less than appreciated by her. A number of ships came into the harbour, one
a Venetian merchant, three from our navy and two I did not recognize.
The South House Eparchos reported that 22 injured and six sick apprentice
boys were treated by the physicians following he statue instillation
ceremony. "That is 22 to many for my taste," Father stated. "Eparchos I
want to commission the South House Argoanuts to conduct a census of all
that live and work within a half day's walk. Record every person, even
small babies by: name, age, gender; occupation, trade or skill; general
health; status or titles; memberships; who their parents are; level of
education. Record all buildings: location, type, status of repair,
ownership and manager if different, use, the number of people that use,
live, work or what ever in it. When you encounter people at work make sure
you know where they live so we are not counting anyone twice. If someone
is away, such as in the military or on a ship, get as much of that
information as you can. Use Arden's Boys and any Palace Boys that can be
spared with your own, but not anyone under 12."
1313, the 1st month, 2nd day:
We all went to Apollo's Temple except Kleitos and Alexandros the younger,
they were helping with the census. Drakon hung behind us a bit and talked
to the operators of the two small inns that were near by. He also
interviewed the priests. What he found was: the present operations did not
wish to expand for a variety of reasons, mostly a fear their taxes would
rise, the investment was to great and they would be forced to employ non
family members at to great an expense. Most people arrived by walking and
most were making day trips. They did not wish to attend the severely ill,
as it was to great a burden. The priests would gladly tend to the severely
ill, if the government would establish a hospital. They also told us the
need or desire for multiple day stays was about 1 in 20 visitors. These
visitors were often accompanied by one to three family members. Drakon
thought that workers could easily be found if young women were employed;
that would mean some type of child care would be needed such as a school
near by. The school building program starts in the spring anyway, so all
we need to do is make sure one of those schools is near by. Palace Boys
and Girls could be used as teachers on a rotation basis as part of their
apprenticeships. Iason thought the state should build the needed hospital
buildings and lease them to the priests for a small fee. We build them
anyway, why not one near by that utilized the therapeutic pools and herb
guardians. An inn with 10 rooms plus stables and dining facilities for 50
people would be needed. The inn could offer some kind of transportation
from the city perhaps.
Our scholars told us that in other places the Christian monasteries often
perform these functions. In places like Apollo's , mostly places they have
taken over from the Pagans and renamed, they often claim mercurial cures
and divine interventions. I took their words to mean we should move
forward, if we move forward, in secret.
The bishop was less than pleased that we had erected a memorial statue in
the town square that was not dedicated to one of his saints. The Pagans
were pleased enough since Ganymede is one of theirs, even if not a major
god, he is not a god at all. The others are against images of men so they
just ignore it. The closest the bishop could come anyway was St. Matthew
which would have been very hard for him to make the claim for. Father told
him that to give this memorial the name of any demigod in the Church's
pantheon would be inappropriate since the Ganymede of Parga was not to be
worshiped and could not intercede with any god, but is a memorial to an
ideal not an immortal. "Read the ode of dedication friend and understand."
Besides it is a boy and not a man and all those saints are adults as far as
I could see.
1313, the 1st month, 3rd day:
Uncle Iason was absolutely livid as Dysme and one of the young boys was
trying to get him dressed. When he gets angry he paces and refuses to hold
still, which makes helping him into his boots or wrapping his kilt
impossible chores. He waves his arms and talks in a loud voice
incessantly. Iason and I wanted to laugh but we knew better than that.
Father finally raised his voice. "Iason, in Zeus's name hold still and let
poor Dysme do his appointed tasks."
"That ungrateful dog, his delusions of adequacy are grandiose to say the
least. If I were not a generous person I would see him live in a pig pen
along with the other swine that inhabit it. Fortunately we have no such
animals in this place. Unfortunately for us, he will need reside here for
a while yet and turn our dungeon into one."
"Certainly Iason, we have sufficient dignity within ourselves, to not let
his ill chosen words offend us to rash action. Let me do the talking and
discourse with him; remembering well that the greatest insult we can
deliver to him is preserving his humiliation and preventing his martyrdom."
We scurried out to dress in our ceremonial costumes. Father would play the
game again and we certainly will be a large part in it.
From our page's bench we could witness a play that rivals the best our
thespians have to offer. Even better, we would at some point, have a part
in it. We kept Odo close at hand for his knowledge of languages will be
beneficial to us. He knew some of the North African dialects and had been
studying hard since these men arrived.
I could see about 25 or perhaps 30 prisoners. They did not have their feet
bound and they were dressed in dull looking kilts and tunics. Their heads
were shaved as were their faces, their hands were linked by short chains
and wrist cuffs. Another 20 or so stood by, they were dressed as prison
guards. They too were shaved of face but their heads were not shaved,
their hair was cut rather short. From looking at them I figured they were
the galley slaves, that survived the battle. A number of the prisoners and
some of the guards had bandages indicating they had been wounded. Their
leader, the defiant one, had no tunic, just a plain kilt. He seemed rather
old and fat. His body looked as though it had been completely shaved. He
was bound by a short iron chain so that his hands were held to his chest
and could not be used, being connected to an iron collar.
"Well Captain Mohammed Atlizkas I see we meet again, although you were just
a very junior officer, serving your uncle and I a young prince. I recall
my father, Iason the 6th, warning you then of the consequences that would
result from plying your trade in our waters. That was many years ago,
perhaps you are suffering from memory loss, a consequence of old age."
While Uncle Iason spoke the scholars translated Italian and Arabic so all
in attendance knew what was being said.
"If you intend to put me to death then why not spare everyone and just do
so? You foolish infidels can not stop us in our holy cause. My death
means little."
Karyakos took over, "That is not our intention, we are not uncivilized
barbarians as you are. True, you death means nothing. We do not pretend
to be faithful, on a god's mission, while doing little but lining our own
pockets and bringing death to all those we don't happen to like. It is not
our way to put people to death for any reason, if it can be avoided. We
are mindful that one man's truth is another's blasphemy. We are not a
violent people but peace loving and generous to a fault. No, we will not
put you or your men to death. My beloved Iason had suggested it would be
most appropriate to house you in pig sties, since those of your faith so
venerates these animals, alias we have none in our land."
"Allah be praised."
"No you fool, Allah had nothing to do with it. Our Pagan ancestors made
that decision a thousand years ago for very practical, not faith based
irrational reasons. Certainly ones having no relationship to your rather
recent false profit and his pretend god. A god, stolen from the Hebrews.
It is an obvious failure to not know and understand history that beings you
here.
You have in the past been known to have called us nothing but a gaggle of
geese and that you, the mighty pirate, had nothing to fear from such women.
You Mohammed, have been boosting such for almost 10 years now and yet this
is your first visit to us in that time. Today you are here being
humiliated by us, begging us to make you a martyr. Not shabby work for a
gaggle of girls. Did you not believe the stories of the Florentines being
crushed or did you believe your god would protect you, being such a pillar
of the faith.
Since it was a Venetian ship you had attacked and since one of your two
vessels is a recently captured Venetian merchant, you will be turned over
to the Venetian Ambassador when he arrives. What they do with you, when
you have rowed to Venice, is their business."
"Please take notice," Uncle Iason interjected, "Slavery in Parga is
forbidden and against our laws, you see we are a civilized culture. Those
former slaves that served on your vessels are now free men. Free from your
tyranny and free to choose whatever religious tyranny, if any, they wish to
believe. I have employed them to be your jailers. Short of torture,
another practice that is forbidden here, you see we are highly civilized,
they have been give permission to treat you exactly as they had been
treated by you. I suggest you pay very close attention to what ever
instructions they issue.
As you claim nobel birth you will be treated to a level more elevated than
the others, something more befitting your self exalted station. Your
personal guardian will be Loup D' Este, the lad of 15 who you captured
along with that vessel and who's parents you killed while he was made to
witness. The very lad you intended to hold for ransom or sell into
slavery, which ever brings the great gold. Kidnapping is also against our
laws and customs. Since he is Venetian we will let them deal with those
legalities. Loup, take head of what has been said here today, I want this
man kept alive and well enough to man an oar and stand punishment in
Venice."
"Your wish is my command Sire, one I shall take great pleasure in
fulfilling." I liked that boy and his spunk. The look on the pirate's
face told all, he was terrified and I suspected rightly so.
"The cargo of that vessel, what remains of it, will be returned to Venice
along with the ship. As to your vessel Mohammed, it is now the property of
King Iason the 7th. The content of that vessel are..." A long inventory
was read out by one of the Triangles, a very junior apprentice steward.
This was done purposefully to further irritate Mohammed.
"Prince Arden and Prince Iason please come forward," Father asked.
"Princes, the inventory just read is being gifted to you. How do you
intend to use it?" That got Mohammed's attention and just like before
gifting it to mere boys, princes or not, was another blow to his manliness.
Now we were on stage and again with no foreknowledge of the situation.
Another test of our skills no doubt. Odo came with us. Iason motioned for
the Triangle to come close with his inventory. We studied it for a few
minutes asking him a few questions. This delay was longer than needed
again to irritate the pirate.
Iason spoke first, "As to the navigational aids, they are so primitive as
to be only useful for our fishers who do not venture far from the land,
they will be sold and the money used for the benefit of widows and orphans
of fishermen. As for the cloth and other such goods they will be given to
the Palace Girls. The fancy glass will be sold and the money put towards
their dowries. As to the armaments, they will be placed in the palace
armoury and used to equip and train the newly hired guards. As to the
wealth in metals and jewels, that will be used as compensation for the
disabled, widows and orphans resulting to our forces during the capture.
The food stuffs should be used to feed the prisoners. The holy books given
to the mosque library. The personal effects of the officers given to Loup.
The effects of the crew given to the former slaves."
Karyakos asked us. "You keep nothing for yourselves?" I answered, we want
for nothing and the crown has rightly taken the ship. No. Odo translated
all this. I could see that Loup wanted to add something but was hesitant.
I could also see a smirk on Mohammed's face. I whispered to Odo, go to him
after we are done and find out what his concern is.
"Very well. The business of this council is concluded for today."
Odo ran over to Loup and taking his hand lead him over to us. He told us a
bit about himself and that he knew, in Mohammed's foot locker, there was a
false bottom with much gold in it. His family was very rich and he did not
want that gold, "it has blood on it". He figured that Mohammed would try
and use it to bribe him and others, once in Venice. He also told us
Mohammed's purse was full, so with that coin he was well positioned until
he returned to Venice. I asked him how he knew this. He told us that
while at sea he had lots of time and while organizing Mohammed's cabin he
discovered it. It is very cleverly concealed.
Iason pointed out we can not take that money, it has been given with the
trunk to him. I suggested he might invest it in some venture that had
nothing to do with trade or glass making but should over time yield a
handsome profit. We decided to remove the gold from its hiding place and
deposit in the royal treasury for safe keeping. I will have 6 Palace Boys
and two of our bodyguards fetch the trunk and we could meet again and talk
further. Loup was incredulous that we would not want the gold. He told us
in Venice and other places he ever heard of the nobles or religious
officials would have made off with it mostly into their own pockets.